Which *buntu to pick? 08/28/2010

Introduction
Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or Edubuntu? Ubuntu Netbook Remix? Ubuntu Server Edition? What’s the difference?
10.04? 9.10? 9.04? 8.04? What is all this?
Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?
What’s the difference between the Ubuntu CD and DVD?

Introduction
Before some people can even begin using Ubuntu, they want to sort out which version to use. This article is towards clearing the air around the subject.

If reading this page confuses you, however, just go with Ubuntu, the latest version (10.04 right now), the Desktop CD. You don’t have to worry about these other options unless you’re really curious.

Should I use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, or Edubuntu? Ubuntu Netbook Remix? Ubuntu Server Edition? What’s the difference?
Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu are all the same Linux distro using the same base, the same software repositories, and the same release cycle. They just have different artwork, different user interfaces (in most cases), and different default programs installed.

Ubuntu uses a user interface (or desktop environment) called Gnome. Gnome is focused on simplicity and usability. Ubuntu includes a bunch of Gnome-native applications such as Rhythmbox (music player), Evolution (email client and calendar), and Gedit (text editor). You can find the full list of software packages in ubuntu-desktop here.

Kubuntu uses the K Desktop Environment (also known as KDE). KDE is focused on including a lot of point-and-click configuration options immediately available to end users. Kubuntu includes a bunch of KDE-native applications such as AmaroK (music player), K3B (CD burning), and Konqueror (web browser). You can find the full list of software packages in kubuntu-desktop here.

Xubuntu uses the Xfce desktop environment, which is a lighter one than Gnome or KDE. In terms of its design principles, it has a bit of a balance—presenting in some ways more point-and-click configuration options than Gnome but also retaining some of the simplicity of Gnome. Its main appeal is its speed, though, and it’s ideal for systems with 128 to 256 MB of RAM. Both Ubuntu and Kubuntu can run on 256 MB of RAM, but they’re more ideal for 512 MB of RAM or more. Xfce includes Thunar (file manager), Thunderbird (email client), and Mousepad (text editor). You can find a full list of software packages in xubuntu-desktop here.

Edubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment but has a different set of default applications from Ubuntu. Its focus is on educational tools. It includes GPaint (an easy to use paint program), Atomix (a puzzle game for building molecules out of isolated atoms), and Xaos (a real-time interactive fractal zoomer). You can find a full list of software packages in edubuntu-desktop here.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix uses the Gnome desktop environment but puts a simplified layer on top of it that is designed for the small screens most netbooks have. Some people prefer this layout. Others don’t. If you prefer the regular Ubuntu, it will run just fine on any netbook.

Ubuntu Server Edition is a command-line interface that is designed for people running Linux servers. It is outside the scope of these tutorials.

Mixing and matching *buntus is possible and often encouraged by the community. If you choose Ubuntu, you are not stuck with Ubuntu. If you choose Kubuntu, you are not stuck with Kubuntu. You can use Gnome-native applications in KDE and vice versa. You can use Gnome- and KDE-native applications in Xfce. You can install education-related programs in any desktop environment. You can install kubuntu-desktop on top of Ubuntu and choose which one you want to log into at the login screen. All four versions of Ubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu) share the same software repositories and available applications. You are not locked into using one version just because it is the first version you installed. From now on, I’ll be referring to all or any of the above versions as simply Ubuntu.
10.04? 9.10? 9.04? 8.04? What is all this?
The numbering scheme for releases of Ubuntu sometimes confuses people. It is the year of release followed by the month of release. That’s all. You’ll also sometimes hear these releases referred to by their nicknames, usually involving alliteration, an adjective, and an animal. I’ve put the nicknames in parentheses.

Please keep in mind that LTSes (Long Term Support releases) are not necessarily stabler than other releases. LTS simply means they gets three years of security updates instead of just eighteen months. I would always recommend the newest release to users who are doing a clean install (as opposed to an upgrade) of Ubuntu. If you’re concerned about stability, you may want to wait a little over a month after the release date for the major bugs to be fixed.

Releases come out around every six months with the latest (for that time) software available and usually some extra features and possibly some new artwork (splash screens/wallpaper).
Desktop CD, Alternate CD, or Server CD?
The default option for type of CD is the Desktop CD. It is a live CD that is also an installation CD. A live CD allows you (provided you have enough memory—I’d recommend at least 256 MB) to run a fully functional Ubuntu operating system without affecting your hard drive or existing Windows or Mac installation. The live CD runs the session off the CD itself and your computer’s RAM. While running the live CD, you can also install Ubuntu to your hard drive (yes, you can browse the web and type up documents while installing Ubuntu)—for the combination of live session and installation, I’d recommend at least 384 MB of RAM. Warning: the Desktop CD cannot be used for upgrading existing Ubuntu installations. It will do only a clean (re)installation of Ubuntu.

If you have a special situation, you may want to use the Alternate CD instead of the Desktop CD. The Alternate CD allows you to install Ubuntu without also running a live session. This is ideal for people with less RAM (128 to 256 MB of RAM). It also allows you to do OEM installations and the installation of only a command-line system. The Alternate CD can also be used for upgrades from older versions to newer versions of Ubuntu—particularly handy for those who have a slower (or no) internet connection, since most upgrades happen with direct downloads from the Ubuntu software repositories instead of from a CD.

The Server CD provides you all the tools you need to set up a server (including LAMP). It does not come with a GUI (graphical user interface), but you can add one later if you feel you really need one (most people recommend against using a GUI on a server). If you accidentally downloaded the Server CD and want a home desktop instead of a server, you can install a home desktop by typingsudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
sudo service gdm start

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– What desktop is your preference? I use the Gnome desktop and from my limited experience, it seems RAM usage is not much different from Windows 7. I use a 4GB RAM laptop, which is more than sufficient but it’s still a concern because i do virtualize a lot of OS and the amount of RAM available to virtualized OS is much dependent on the available RAM from the host PC.

– Mandriva Linux and, i think, OPENSUSE have all the different desktops available on a single DVD and it is very possible to install the different desktops on a single PC, making it possible to switch from one to the other. Do you think i can achieve this in Ubuntu, installing multiple desktops and what do you think are the risks of doing this?

as for me, Gnome has always been it. i started with gnome n havnt seen any really compelling reason to switch. recently, i am being wooed into KDE. I have promised to give it a try with Kubuntu 10.10 n see where it goes from there.

for your second question, it is very possible and quite safe too to install multiple Desktop environments in Ubuntu. much like any other distro. I think you will have to manually install any other DE from ubuntu using the Package manager. This will probaablly download hundreds of MB. u can try it if ur up to it n let us know d experience.

Note: I am not the author of this post so he shld also answer to this comment.

few things, every one seems to miss the fact that ubuntu also has full dvd’s for download too, complete with all the default packages in the main repos, including the various desktops.

hmmn,. another thing is KDE for me, doesnt fly with mobile broadband. the network thingy in KDE is kinda icky for that kinda stuff, i guess it just assumes evryone will be on DSL or LAN or wireless.

XFCE, LXDE LUBUNTU, well for all the lightness and speed, if you are used to a full flavor os, you may find them very sticky to cope with, i couldnt stand them, the ethos of those flavors are entirely different, things dont work the same, and frankly i think i like a lil beauty.

I use the Gnome DE as well, it makes my headaches go away fastest. As for installing multiple DE’s, it is very much possible, i currently have 3 DE’s on my mini laptop – UNE, Ubuntu DE and Kubuntu DE. All i have to do to experience something different is to logout from one and login into another.

Give it a shot by installing another DE from the Synaptic Package Manager. There are no snags or risks, at least none i have experienced so far.

Anyways, we can always share from your experience too and be sure that we would be glad to help in any way…

“You can find the full list of software packages in ubuntu-desktop here.”, i expected “here” to be a link to a page where all the software packages of the ubuntu desktop are listed but it wasnt linked. if it isnt meant to be linked, then no problem but that was my deduction from the way that portion (as well as d one for kubuntu and others) was written